To comply with advanced security and operational mandates, MSC requires final shipping instructions well before vessel arrival at UAE ports:

• Shipping instructions must be received at least 6 hours prior to vessel arrival.
• For destination amendments to USA, Canada, China, Japan, and South Africa, changes must be submitted 36 hours before vessel arrival.
• For other destinations, amendments are due 24 hours prior to vessel departure.
• Late shipment instructions may result in additional charges or shipment delays.

MSC offers comprehensive inland delivery services to UAE customers, coordinated to ensure timely and efficient container handover:

• Standard container delivery on appropriate trailers and heavy goods vehicles.
• Special delivery requirements (such as out-of-gauge cargo or specific chassis requests) available upon advance notice.
• Clear customs clearance documentation is required ahead of delivery to avoid extra charges.
• Cancellations are free when made 24 hours prior; late cancellations may incur fees.

• Book and manage import shipments
• Submit shipping instructions and documentation.
• Access real-time tracking and arrival notifications.
• View billing statements and dispute invoices if needed. 

These tools help keep your import operations transparent and efficient around the clock.

MSC UAE emphasizes the importance of accurate and timely documentation for imports, including providing guidance on:

• Importer Security Filing where applicable (analogous to ISF in the USA)
• Compliance with UAE government requirements related to agricultural, safety, and product regulations
• Container and cargo inspections coordination with port authorities

What is detention?

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard/customer warehouse. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing UAE customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.   

Demurrage Disputes

• In case of an Import demurrage dispute, email: AE515-ics@msc.com, (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute. 
• In case of an Export demurrage dispute, email ae515-customerserviceexport@msc.com (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute. 

Detention, demurrage and storage in the UAE /or/ Detention, demurrage, and storage charges (Except Abudhabi)

What is detention?

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard/customer warehouse. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing UAE customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.   

Detention Disputes

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside the terminal / customer warehouse for the use of the land. 

• In case of a Import demurrage dispute, email AE515-ics@msc.com (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute.  
• In case of a Export demurrage dispute, email ae515-customerserviceexport@msc.com (email subject: Dispute + Invoice Number), describing the reasons for your dispute. 

The following options are available for release of shipment: 

• For immediate release, payment must be submitted via Bank Transfer. 
• However, the shipment will be released ONLY after funds clear. 

Required documents for DO (Print and fill on your original letterhead):

• Empty container guarantee letter 
• VAT Details Declaration

Local Charges

Demurrage Tariff- Export

Demurrage Tariff- Import

SOLAS &VGM REQUIREMENT UAE- DUBAI 

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

In line with SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) regulations, all marine terminals in the USA are now allowed to use their certified scales to record Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of shipments. Download our USA VGM policy and terminal guidelines for more information.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

Government approval status

Federal Transport Authority has approved the VGM regulation to be in effect from 01st July,2016
Tolerance level is up to the container payload and AED 1300 (USD 354) will be applied as penalty in case of container exceeding payload.

Level of control expected is however not yet announced
DPW is entitled to weigh all laden containers earmarked for loading and no container will be loaded without the VGM
What to include in your VGM instructions

The following items are mandatory and must be on all VGM instructions

Booking or Bill of Lading number
Container number
VGM + unit
Authorized person’s signatory (submitter of the VGM who may be authorized to act on behalf of shippers
Responsible party Name
How to submit your VGM instructions

Since DP world is the sole authority to weigh the packed container at the port, VGM submission from shippers is not mandatory as the document issued by DP world Jebel Ali would serve the purpose.
Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions

VGM data should be submitted to us 24 hours prior to the ETA of the vessel. However the cut off for documentation remains unchanged at 48 hours.
VGM cut-off different from Documentation cut off

Admin Fees and costs

There are no administration charges imposed by MSC for the moment. Should there be any fees we will share with you.
Recommendations

MSC recommends shippers to retain the VGM slips issued by the terminal in file for future reference and to produce if needed by authorities.

Contact information

Customer Desk services – ecs@mscae.com
Jalan / Laxmikanth - +9714 3524888

An LOI (Letter of Indeminity) is required when an original Bill of Lading is lost or destroyed. It can be completed by shipper at the Port of Loading, or by the consignee at the Port of Discharge.
 
The LOI requires 200% of the commercial value of the cargo plus Ocean Freight to be guaranteed either through bank or MSC’s Insurance company.
 
MSC’s global LOI requirements are set out by our Geneva headquarters. The LOI must be completed as per these instructions in order for a duplicate Bill of Lading to be issued.

Questions about LOI?
Contact our UAE team:

• Ae515-ops@msc.com
• Ae515-ics@msc.com

Imports

• Narcotics including psychotropic medication.
• Pornography (please consider the term as used under the Islamic law).
• Any material that contradicts Islamic teachings.
• Counterfeit items.
• Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance (authentic engravings, prints, lithographs etc.).
• Any goods from countries with no diplomatic relation with UEA.
• Gambling related items (lottery tickets, gambling machines).
• Three layers fishing nets.
• Any tyres showing usage or tempering, also inlaid tyres are not allowed.
• Items, materials or substances polluted with radiation.
• Homemade foodstuff.

• In addition to the prohibited goods above, a number of items are also heavily restricted. For more information, click the links below.
  Import regulations

Exports

• Narcotics.
• Pornography (please consider the term as used under the Islamic law).
• Counterfeit items.
• Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance.
• Explosive material.
• For a full details of prohibited and restricted goods, please visit the following sites:
  Export regulations

Ports and terminals

MSC operates services to and from the following UAE ports and terminals, with local teams in each location to support our customers.